Excerpt: "The following attempt at a tragedy in fiction (a tragedy, however, without a tragic ending) must not be construed into an attack on the English priesthood generally. I have simply pictured, in the Rev. Charles Santley, a type of man which exists, and of which I have had personal experience. Fortunately, such men are uncommon; still more fortunately, the clergymen of, the English Establishment are for the most part sane and healthy men, too unimaginative for morbid deviations."

Robert Williams Buchanan (1841-1901) was a Scottish lyricist, author and playwright. Many of his works were books of poetry written while he was living in Glasgow. His first book was Poems and Love Lyrics. Later in his life he contributed to the prose fiction and drama genres.